Watch band construction and connector for use therewith

ABSTRACT

A watch band construction including a band section having a connector member joined thereto that is interconnected to a lug of a watch casing, a connecting element joining the connector member to the lug and being captured within the connector member, wherein the band section is secured to the watch casing in abutting relation to effect a one-piece construction therewith, and the connection of the connector member to the lug being accomplished without tilting or hooking of the band section relative to the lug.

nited States Patent [191 Weiss Mar. 5, 1974 WATCH BAND CONSTRUCTION AND CONNECTOR FOR USE THEREWITI-I Irving Weiss, New York, NY.

Assignees: Kestenman Bros. Mfg. Co.,

Providence, R.I.; Lisnow & Weiss Co. Inc., Long Island City, NY part interest to each Filed: Jan. 17, 1972 Appl. No.: 218,201

Inventor:

US. Cl. 224/4 E, 16/176, 24/265 WS Int. Cl. A44c 5/14 Field of Search..... 224/4 E, 4 D, 4 H, 4 J, 4 K; 24/265 WS, 265 A, 265 EC; 287/100; 85/5 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS lO/l97l Dintsman ..224/4E 12/1927 B0nhajo.....

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 275,214 .195l Switzerland 24/265 WS 522,360 1956 Canada 85/5 N Primary Examiner-Robert G. Sheridan Assistant Examiner-Jerold M. Forsberg Attorney, Agent, or FirmSalter & Michaelson [57] ABSTRACT A watch band construction including a band section having a connector member joined thereto that is interconnected to a lug of a watch casing, a connecting element joining the connector member to the lug and being captured within the connector member, wherein the band section is secured to the watch casing in abutting relation to effect a one-piece construction therewith, and the connection of the connector member to the lug being accomplished without tilting or hooking of the band section relative to the lug.

6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures WATCH BAND CONSTRUCTION AND CONNECTOR FOR 'USE THEREWITII BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a watch band construction and a connector for use therewith, wherein the ends of the watch band construction are connectable in abutting relation with the casing of a watch by a simple connecting action and are positively retained in position thereon.

In those wrist watches which are formed with ornaments on the sides thereof, such as in wrist watches for use by women, the connection of the wrist band to the watch has required some form of a link or pin connector construction that produced a space between the watch band and the watch casing. Although these prior known connection devices have accomplished the purpose of securing the ends of the wrist band to the watch, they generally have been unattractive and did not complement the appearance of the watch. In some instances, where the watch band and casing have been of high quality materials, the ends of the watch band have been directly secured to the watch casing to produce a one-piece effect. Such prior techniques have employed gold soldering or the like for securing the band ends to the watch housing; but when the watch band had to be replaced or repaired, the disconnecting thereof from the watch casing was difficult to accomplish, and the cost thereof was prohibitive. Some attempts have also been made heretofore to provide means for connecting a bracelet end to a watch to effect the one'piece appearance of the watch band and the watch casing; but such constructions, particularly when used with a watch having an ornament, have been difficult to attach to the watch casing and have required tilting or maneuvering of the bracelet end to effect the connection. Such maneuvering was not only difficult to achieve because of the ornament that was attached to the side wall of the casing, but the connector was relatively complicated and was not easy to re move from the watch casing when required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a watch band construction and connector for use therewith that includes band sections to the ends of which connector members are secured. Each of the connector members is formed with spaced projections between which a lug is received, the lug being interconnected to the casing of a wrist watch and normally depending below an ornament also secured to the side wall or casing of the wrist watch. The end of the watch band is secured to the watch casing in abutting relation to effect a one-piece appearance therewith by locating the lug between the spaced projections of the connector member, and this is accomplished without any twisting or lifting of the band. The connection is thereafter completed by inserting a pin through the lug and projections of the connector member. The pin is captured or lockedin place by side tabs joined to the connector member, the side tabs being folded into the closed position thereof by a pivoting movement thereof.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a watch band construction and connector for use therewith that includes a connector member that is interconnected to a lug that is secured to the easing of a wrist watch, the end of the watch band being located in abutting relation with the watch casing and effecting a one-piece construction therewith.

Another object of the invention is to provide a connector assembly for joining the ends of the watch band to the casing of a watch, wherein a lug depending below an ornament secured to the watch casing is received between the projection of a connector member that is joined to the watch band, a pin being further provided for securing the lug to the connector member.

Still another object is to provide a connector assembly for use in the attachment of a watch band to a wrist watch that includes a connector member that is attachable toa lug that depends below an ornament joined to the watch casing, the attachment being effected without twisting or turning of the watch band.

Still another object is to provide a connector assembly for use in the attachment of a watch band to a lug that depends from the casing of a wrist watch, the connector assembly including a connector member having end tabs formed thereon and the end tabs being foldable into a locked position for securing a transversely located pin in the connector member wherein the connector member is secured to the lug.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing which illustrates the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the watch band construction and connector for use therewith as embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the watch band construction and connector;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged side elevational view with parts shown in section showing the connection of the watch band construction to the lug that depends from the side of the watch casing;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the connector member, the lug that is received therein and the band section to which the connector member is joined; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the watch casing showing the ornament and lug joined to the side wall of the watch casing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawing, one form of the band construction and connector for use therewith as embodied in the present invention is illustrated, and in this connection the invention is shown for use with a wrist watch. However, it is understood that the invention as will be described hereinafter may be used with various other forms of bracelet constructions that incorporate an ornamental article therein.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, a watch is generally indicated at 10 and includes a casing 12 of any convenient design in which the watch mechanism is located, the crystal of the watch being indicated at 14. Since the present invention has particular application for use with a watch, a feature of the invention is to provide that the ends of the watch band construction are located in abutting relation with respect to the casing 12 so as to give the appearance of being an integral part thereof. As will be described, ornaments 16 are secured to the sides of the casing 12, and the connector assembly of the subject invention enables the watch band ends to be easily joined to the watch casing beneath the ornaments. As illustrated in the drawing, the watch band construction includes band sections 17 that are preferably formed of a metallic material and that are usually connected at the free ends thereof through a clasp construction or the like (not shown) for mounting the watch on the wrist 'of the wearer. However, it is understood that if desired the band sections 17 may be formed of interconnected links and springs to define a resilient continuous band.

Another feature of the subject invention isthe manner in which the band sections are simply'and easily connected to the casing 12 of the watch, notwithstanding the mounting of the ornaments 16 on the sidewall of the watch. As will be apparent, the ornaments 16 have particular application for use in watches styled for women; and although a particular ornamental form is illustrated in FIG. 6, it is understood that any form of ornament may be attached to the side walls of the easing 12 as desired.

Depending from each of the ornaments 16 that are secured to the side walls of the watch casing 12 is a reduced neck section 18 on the lowermost end of which a lug 20 is joined. The lateral dimension of the lug 20 is somewhat enlarged with respect to the reduced neck section 18, and as will be described, the lug 20 cooperates with a connector member generally indicated at 22 to interconnect a watch band section 17 to the watch casing 12. Extending through each lug 20 is an opening 26 that provides for the interconnection of the lug 20 I to the connector member 22.

As more clearly illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, the connector member 22 which is joined to the underside of a band section 17 adjacent to the end thereof, includes a plate 28 to which are integrally joined substantially U-shaped projections 30. The U-shaped projections 30 are formed with foot portions 32 that are secured to the ends thereof opposite the plate 28, the foot portions 32 and the plate 28'being located in substantially the same plane. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the U-shaped projections 30 are spaced from each other to form a central space therebetween; and integrally joined to the bight portion of each U-shaped projection 30 is a tab 34 that is foldable into engagement with the outer side edges of the projections to which it is joined for capturing a pin 36 within the projections 30 and the lug 20 as will be described.

Formed in the outer end of each band section 17 is a notch 38, and each connector member 22 is secured to the underside of a band section 17 just rearwardly of the notch 38. The plate 28 and foot portions 32 of each connector member 22 make face-to-face contact with the underside of the band section 24 and are secured thereto by gold soldering or the like. It is seen that upon the mounting of the connector member 22 to'the underside of the band section 17, aligned openings are formed by the U-shaped projections 30 between which a space is defined. The lateral dimension-of the space between the projections 30 is approximately that of the lug 20, while the lateral dimension of the notch 38 is approximately that of the reduced neck portion 18 to which the lug 20 is joined.

With the connector member 22 secured to the underside of the band section 17, as described, the band section 17 is secured to the watch casing by locating the end of the band section in abutting relation with the casing, wherein the lug 20 is received within the space formed between the U-shaped projections 30 and the neck portion 18 is received within the notch 38 in the end of the band section 17. The pin 36 is inserted through the openings as defined by the projections 30 and through the opening 26 in the lug 20. Thereafter and as illustrated in FIG. 3, the tabs 34 are folded into engagement with the side edges of the projections 30 to lock the pin 36 in place.

With the band section 17 secured to the lug 20 as described, the outermost ends of the band section abut the casing 14 of the watch 10 and are located just beneath the ornament 16 thereby providing a one-piece effect with respect to the-casing l4 and ornament 16. It is understood that should it be required to remove the watch band construction including the band sec tions 17 from the watch casing, it is only necessary to release the tabs 34 from the folded position thereby releasing the pin 36 from its captured position. After the pin 36 has been removed from the lug 20 and projections 30 of the connector member 22, the connector member 22 and the band section 17 joined thereto are released from the lug 20 and the watch casing 12.

It is seen that the present invention avoids the usual procedure of hooking a band onto a lug of a case, wherein the case has an ornament extending thereover or from the side wall thereof. Because of the unique construction of the lug 20 with respect to the ornament l6 and further because of the manner in which the connector member 22 is formed, the connector member and the band section 24 to which it is joined may be simply and easily secured to the lug 20 by merely inserting the lug 20 between the projections 30 and thereafter locating the pin 36 within the projections 30 and lug 20. A straight line movement of the connector member and band section 24 to which it is attached is all that is required to locate the lug 20 within the projections 30 and the prior technique of twisting and hooking a band section onto a lug is avoided.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

. 1. A watch band construction including a band section, an end of which is attachable to a watch casing, comprising a lug interconnected to said watch casing and extending outwardly therefrom, a connector member secured to the underside of the end of said band section, an elongated pin of fixed dimension extending through said lug and engageable with said connector member for securing said connector member to said lug, said connector member having spaced projections between which said lug is received, the elongated pin also extending through saidprojections for securing said connector member to said lug, and imperforate foldable end tabs joined to said connector member at the outer side edges thereof for enclosing the outer sides of said connector member and capturing said elongated pin therein.

2. A watch band construction as set forth in claim 1, an ornamental portion joined to the watch casing and being integrally formed as part of the lug, the lateral dimension of said lug being reduced with respect to that of said ornamental portion and said lug depending below the ornamental portion, said band having a notch formed in the outer end thereof, the notch receiving a neck portion of said lug that joins the lug to said ornamental portion, and said connecting element extending through the lug and spaced projections of said connector member to secure the band section to said watch basing.

3. A watch band construction as set forth in claim 1, an ornament being joined to said casing and forming a part thereof, said lug being interconnected to said ornament by a reduced neck portion, the reduced neck portion being located in depending relation with respect to said ornament, wherein said connector member is directly connected to said lug to provide for the end of the band section abutting the watch casing and to effect a one-piece appearance therewith.

4. A watch band construction including a band section, an end of which is attachable to a watch casing, comprising a lug interconnected to said watch casing and extending outwardly therefrom, a connector member secured to the underside of the end of said band section, a connecting element engageable with said lug and connector member for securing said connector member to said lug, said connector member further in cluding means for capturing said connecting element within said connector member, wherein said band section is interconnected to said lug and watch casing, said connector member including spaced projections between which the lug is received, said connecting element interconnecting the lug and projections to lock said lug to said connector member, said projections and lug being formed with openings that are located in aligned coaxial relation when the lug is received between the projections, said connecting element being defined by an elongated pin that extends through the aligned openings in the lug and projections, said capturing means being defined by foldable end tabs that are joined to said projections at the outer side edges thereof, said end tabs being pivotally foldable to enclose the outer sides of said projections to capture said connecting element within said lug and projections.

5. A watch band construction including a band seetion, an end of which is attachable to a watch casing, comprising a lug interconnected to said watch casing andextending outwardly therefrom, a connector member secured to the underside of the end of said band section, a connecting element engageable with said lug and connector member for securing said connector member to said lug, said connector member further in cluding means for capturing said connecting element within said connector member, wherein said band section is interconnected to said lug and watch casing, an ornamental portion joined to the watch casing and beingintegrally formed as part of the lug, the lateral dimension of said lug being reduced with respect to that of said ornamental portion and said lug depending below the ornamental portion, the connector member having spaced projections between which the lug is received, said band having a notch formed in the outer end thereof, the notch receiving a neck portion of said lug that joins the lug to said ornamental portion, and said connecting element extending through the lug and spaced projections of said connector member to secure the band section to said watch casing, said capturing means being defined by foldable end tabs that are joined to said spaced projections at the outer side edges thereof, said end tabs being pivotally movable to enclose the outer sides of said spaced projections to capture said connecting element within said spaced projections and lug.

6. A watch band construction including a band section, an end of which is attachable to a watch casing, comprising a lug interconnected to said watch casing and extending outwardly therefrom, a connector member secured to the underside of the end of said band section, a connecting element engageable with said lug and connector member for securing said connector member to said lug, said connector member further including means for capturing said connecting element within said connector member, wherein said band section is interconnected to said lug and watch casing, said lug having an axial opening extending therethrough that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of said band section, said lug being received in said connector member and said connecting element being defined by an elongated pin that extends through said connector member and lug received therein to lock said connector member to said lug, said capturing means being defined by foldable end tabs that are joined to the sides of said connector member, said end tabs being pivotally movable to enclose the outer sides of said connector member for capturing the elongated pin therein. 

1. A watch band construction including a band section, an end of which is attachable to a watch casing, comprising a lug interconnected to said watch casing and extending outwardly therefrom, a connector member secured to the underside of the end of said band section, an elongated pin of fixed dimension extending through said lug and engageable with said connector member for securing said connector member to said lug, said connector member having spaced projections between which said lug is received, the elongated pin also extending through said projections for securing said connector member to said lug, and imperforate foldable end tabs joined to said connector member at the outer side edges thereof for enclosing the outer sides of said connector member and capturing said elongated pin therein.
 2. A watch band construction as set forth in claim 1, an ornamental portion joined to the watch casing and being integrally formed as part of the lug, the lateral dimension of said lug being reduced with respect to that of said ornamental portion and said lug depending below the ornamental portion, said band having a notch formed in the outer end thereof, the notch receiving a neck portion of said lug that joins the lug to said ornamental portion, and said connecting element extending through the lug and spaced projections of said connector member to secure the band section to said watch basing.
 3. A watch band construction as set forth in claim 1, an ornament being joined to said casing and forming a part thereof, said lug being interconnected to said ornament by a reduced neck portion, the reduced neck portion being located in depending relation with respect to said ornament, wherein said connector member is directly connected to said lug to provide for the end of the band section abutting the watch casing and to effect a one-piece appearance therewith.
 4. A watch band construction including a band section, an end of which is attachable to a watch casing, comprising a lug interconnected to said watch casing and extending outwardly therefrom, a connector member secured to the underside of the end of said band section, a cOnnecting element engageable with said lug and connector member for securing said connector member to said lug, said connector member further including means for capturing said connecting element within said connector member, wherein said band section is interconnected to said lug and watch casing, said connector member including spaced projections between which the lug is received, said connecting element interconnecting the lug and projections to lock said lug to said connector member, said projections and lug being formed with openings that are located in aligned coaxial relation when the lug is received between the projections, said connecting element being defined by an elongated pin that extends through the aligned openings in the lug and projections, said capturing means being defined by foldable end tabs that are joined to said projections at the outer side edges thereof, said end tabs being pivotally foldable to enclose the outer sides of said projections to capture said connecting element within said lug and projections.
 5. A watch band construction including a band section, an end of which is attachable to a watch casing, comprising a lug interconnected to said watch casing and extending outwardly therefrom, a connector member secured to the underside of the end of said band section, a connecting element engageable with said lug and connector member for securing said connector member to said lug, said connector member further including means for capturing said connecting element within said connector member, wherein said band section is interconnected to said lug and watch casing, an ornamental portion joined to the watch casing and being integrally formed as part of the lug, the lateral dimension of said lug being reduced with respect to that of said ornamental portion and said lug depending below the ornamental portion, the connector member having spaced projections between which the lug is received, said band having a notch formed in the outer end thereof, the notch receiving a neck portion of said lug that joins the lug to said ornamental portion, and said connecting element extending through the lug and spaced projections of said connector member to secure the band section to said watch casing, said capturing means being defined by foldable end tabs that are joined to said spaced projections at the outer side edges thereof, said end tabs being pivotally movable to enclose the outer sides of said spaced projections to capture said connecting element within said spaced projections and lug.
 6. A watch band construction including a band section, an end of which is attachable to a watch casing, comprising a lug interconnected to said watch casing and extending outwardly therefrom, a connector member secured to the underside of the end of said band section, a connecting element engageable with said lug and connector member for securing said connector member to said lug, said connector member further including means for capturing said connecting element within said connector member, wherein said band section is interconnected to said lug and watch casing, said lug having an axial opening extending therethrough that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of said band section, said lug being received in said connector member and said connecting element being defined by an elongated pin that extends through said connector member and lug received therein to lock said connector member to said lug, said capturing means being defined by foldable end tabs that are joined to the sides of said connector member, said end tabs being pivotally movable to enclose the outer sides of said connector member for capturing the elongated pin therein. 